Promoted by Nicola Dinan at Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP, on behalf of Reform UK at the same address. Reform UK Hertsmere is an approved local branch of Reform UK.
What Will a Unitary Council Mean for You? | Reform UK Hertsmere
Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford will form one new unitary council responsible for all local authority services across the area.
Article Summary
At a Glance
The key points you need to know.
What This Means For Residents
From April 2028, one unitary council will be responsible for the local authority services currently divided between Hertsmere Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council. Until then, continue using existing council services and contacting your current councillors in the usual way.
Key Facts
✓Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford will form the new South West Hertfordshire unitary authority.
✓The new authority will represent around 300,000 residents.
✓One unitary council will provide services currently divided between the county and borough or district councils.
✓Elections to the new Shadow Authority will take place in May 2027.
✓Existing councils will continue providing services as normal throughout the transition.
✓The new unitary council will take full responsibility for local services on 1 April 2028.
What Happens Next
In May 2027, residents will vote for councillors to represent them on the new Shadow Authority. Those councillors will oversee preparations for the South West Hertfordshire unitary council, including establishing its structure and transferring services from the existing authorities. The current councils will continue operating during this transition. On 1 April 2028, the new unitary council will formally take responsibility for local services. Further information about electoral areas, Council Tax, service arrangements and how the new council will operate will be published as decisions are made.
The Full Story
From 1 April 2028, the way local government works in Hertsmere will change.
Hertsmere will join Three Rivers and Watford to form the new South West Hertfordshire unitary authority, representing around 300,000 residents.
The new council will replace:
✓Hertsmere Borough Council
✓Three Rivers District Council
✓Watford Borough Council
✓Hertfordshire County Council within the new authority’s area
Instead of services being divided between a county council and separate borough or district councils, one unitary council will be responsible for the full range of local authority services.
One council responsible for local services
At present, residents may need to contact different councils depending on the service involved.
Hertsmere Borough Council currently deals with services such as planning, housing, bin collections, parks and environmental health. Hertfordshire County Council is responsible for services including roads, education, social care, libraries and public transport.
From April 2028, the new South West Hertfordshire unitary council will bring these responsibilities together.
The intention is to give residents one council responsible for local authority services, with clearer accountability when something goes wrong or needs improving.
Who will represent you?
Instead of separate county and borough councillors, residents will be represented by councillors elected to the new unitary authority.
These unitary councillors will represent their local electoral areas while also making decisions affecting the whole of South West Hertfordshire.
They will oversee services currently divided between the county and borough councils, giving them a broader range of responsibilities than councillors have under the present system.
The detailed electoral areas and number of councillors will be established through the transition process.
Will services change immediately?
No. Nothing changes immediately.
Hertfordshire County Council and the existing borough and district councils will continue providing their current services until 1 April 2028.
Residents should continue reporting problems, applying for services and contacting their existing councils and councillors in the usual way.
The transfer to the new authority will involve bringing together staff, systems, contracts, buildings and services from several existing councils.
The aim will be to maintain essential services throughout the transition, but the detailed arrangements are still being developed.
Will your Council Tax change?
The new unitary council will eventually set its own budget and Council Tax.
Council Tax levels currently vary between Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford. How those differences will be handled across the new authority has not yet been confirmed.
Residents will continue paying Council Tax under the existing arrangements until further information is provided.
Town and parish councils may continue to charge their own local precepts where these currently apply.
What happens to town and parish councils?
Town and parish councils are not being abolished as part of this reorganisation.
They will continue to represent their communities and may continue providing facilities and services at a very local level.
Not every part of Hertsmere has a town or parish council, so these local arrangements will continue to differ between communities.
What has not yet been decided?
Although the new council’s area and timetable have been announced, many practical details still need to be agreed.
These include:
✓The council’s final name and identity
✓Where its main offices will be based
✓Where council meetings will take place
✓The detailed structure of its departments
✓How existing services and computer systems will be combined
✓Future Council Tax arrangements
✓The precise electoral areas and number of councillors
✓How local communities will retain a strong voice within the larger authority
These decisions will be made and communicated as preparations continue.
Unitary councillors will combine the responsibilities currently divided between county and borough councillors, overseeing the full range of local council services.
Borough councillors represent local wards and help oversee services including planning, housing, bin collections, parking, parks and environmental health.
